Nick - Senior Barber - London

"I'd recommend this career to anyone willing to work extremely hard, willing to start from the bottom making drinks and cleaning the toilet. Because it's not all skin faded crops..."

by miguel gutierrez

July 18, 2017

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Could you introduce yourself please?

Nick Barford, 28 from Kent.

How long Have you been a Barber?

I have only been in the barbering scene for a year but was hairdressing for 12 years before.

Have you always been a Barber? If not, what other life experiences have you got?

I always wanted to do something creative growing up, loved art and photography, but wasn't sure what to do for a career...was lucky enough to fall into hairdressing as a Saturday boy sweeping up just for money, but that is where I saw a creative side to the industry and decided to do an apprenticeship.

What made you get into Barbering?

I stepped into barbering as I enjoyed doing men's hair more then women's, my male clientele was bigger then my female...and through social media saw that male grooming was becoming a lot more interesting and creative.

What is your favourite cut to do?

I don't have a favourite cut. But I do enjoy working modern techniques on classic shapes.

Most enjoyable aspect of your job?

Most enjoyable part of the job...talking absolute rubbish all day. Feeling part of a creative family.

Would you recommend this career choice, and if so, do you have any advice for aspiring Barbers?

I'd recommend this career to anyone willing to work extremely hard, willing to start from the bottom making drinks and cleaning the toilet...because it's not all skin faded crops, there's a lot of standard work as well that you don't see on social media! If you like freedom in what you wear and how you look it's perfect for you, it is also great if you like to travel because gathering is blowing up all over the world.

Out of all the fads and trends that come and go, what is your personal favourite and why?

I don't have a particular favourite trend past or present, I like that every client is different. And try to keep everyone's style as different and relevant to them and their life style as possible.

Social media allows us access to images and stories from all over the world, within the barbering world, who do you consider to be the most interesting, memorable, and why?

The most interesting and memorable profiling on social media is definitely “Nomad Barber” for me, it's what made me change from hairdressing to barbering. I loved the travel and cultural aspects of the company, I personally love culture and travel myself so it really drew me in. I also love the photography side of it as well, Miguel has a great talent in this subject and was keen to learn from him.

What I also liked is that it's very different to every other barbershop that keeps popping up at the moment with a more traditional look and style...it's a back to basics barber shop, with tons of culture and some of the most talented barbers in the U.K. And Ireland, the haircuts do the talking.

Where has been your favourite place to visit? And, where would you love to go in the future?

I've travelled all over the world, my favourites being New Zealand and Australia...both amazing countries. Berlin has to be up there as one of my favourites, not particularly for the place, but for the people I met there, and also how much It improved me as person and a barber.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Not sure where I will end up in the future but I've got a big list of places I'd like to travel to.I see myself being entrepreneur in the future with many businesses and a beautiful wife.